Sunday, January 18, 2009

What I Brought Home From New Orleans

Uhhh... I didn't really buy anyone any gifts or anything like that. But I did bring home a bunch of new and exciting ingredients for my cupboard! Miss Fancy Kittee took me to the grocery store and told me what I needed to buy. I am ignorant in these matters, so I faithfully obeyed her every suggestion. Now I can cook up all sorts of New Orleans recipes!

Photo #1:Rouses Italian Olive Salad - so that I can make some delicious vegan Muffaletta Sandwiches.Yum! I can hardly wait. I am pretty sure that Musty will like this stuff a lot.Root Beer Extract - well, you already know about this, since I blogged about it beforeCreole Mustard - I haven't tasted it yet. Kittee says it is good and worth buying.Joseph's Whole Spicy Pickled Okra - That's for Musty, 100%. He is a fan of hot pickled okra.

Yessir, Yes'm, I was mighty glad that none of these fine goodies broke or exploded in my luggage!

Photo #2:Louisiana Pecans - mmmmm. this purchase requires no justificationZatarain's Pro Boil - a lovely and interesting spice mix for making crab boil. Needless to say, I will not be boiling any crabs, but I do look forward to experimenting with this stuff. Kittee had scoped them out ahead of time and knew that this is the one without MSG. Good!Camellia Beans: Large Limas and Red Kidneys - Oh yeah! Red Beans and Rice, here I come!

Photo #3:Sambar Powder - Homemade by Kittee!Sassafras File' - bought for me by Kittee's mom! File' is hard to find out here in Santa Cruz, so now I have a good stash for my future gumbo-makingTony Chachere's Salt Free Seasoning - now, I didn't have too much trouble finding normal Tony Chachere's out here, but it's crazy salty! So, under Kittee's guidance, I bought the salt-free variety.Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce - straight from the source, baby!Old Bay - another item I've seen in many recipes but have never found in the grocery store. Ah!

Ooh, I have the Root Beer Extract from Kittee & the mustard! I like it, it's very vinegary. Red Kidneys, check! Tony Chachere's is now a staple here, thanks to Kittee. We actually like the one with salt better.

Ooh, gumbo makin'! By the way, Fraiche is opening in SF in a few months, right near my house!! Come visit soon!